Systems and methods for regulating online merchandise link activity

ABSTRACT

A system for regulating online merchandise link activity. The system may comprise a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions may comprise: maintaining a set of items for online link processing, the items being associated with a website; selecting a first item from the set of items; receiving an electronic request from a first affiliate system related to the first item; registering the first affiliate system as associated with the first item; generating an online link associated with the first item and the registered affiliate system; detecting an actuation of the online link, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and, based on the detected actuation and digital activity, permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/822,273, filed on Mar. 18, 2020, currently pending, the contentsof which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to computerized systems andmethods for regulating online merchandise link activity. In particular,embodiments of the present disclosure relate to inventive andunconventional systems that enable regulation of online merchandise linkactivity, including click, affiliate, or order activity, as well asdetermination of legitimate or fraudulent behavior related to theactivity.

BACKGROUND

Affiliate marketing is a mechanism employed by businesses to assist withmarketing of business products. Affiliates earn rewards or commissionsbased on the commercial success of the business products they market.Online marketing is one large-scale avenue where businesses rely onaffiliates. A business, for example, generates merchandise for sale tocustomers. An affiliate system then registers as associated with themerchandise and generates a merchandise link for online customers.Customers will visit the merchandise link and, if a purchase of themerchandise is made, the business and affiliate system will settle oncommission associated with the purchased merchandise.

Problems can arise in online marketing and consumerism when onlineactivity becomes fraudulent. For example, fraudulent affiliate activityhas frequently been detected as well as fraudulent click or orderactivity associated with customers. Cookie stuffing, auto browsing, ororder abuse are among the fraudulent types of activity most commonlydetected in the context of online consumerism.

As such, there is a need for a system that both enhances detection offraudulent behavior in the context of online consumerism and alsoimproves the efficiency of detecting such fraudulent behavior. Thepresent invention is, accordingly, directed to mechanisms of preventingfraudulent activity in online marketing and consumerism.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system forregulating online merchandise link activity. The system may comprise amemory storing instructions and at least one processor configured toexecute the instructions. The instructions may comprise: maintaining aset of items for online link processing, the items being associated witha website; selecting a first item from the set of items; receiving anelectronic request from a first affiliate system related to the firstitem; registering the first affiliate system as associated with thefirst item; generating an online link associated with the first item andthe registered affiliate system; detecting an actuation of the onlinelink, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and, basedon the detected actuation and digital activity, permitting or denyingthe first affiliate system from operating the online link.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system forregulating online merchandise link activity. The system may comprise amemory storing instructions and at least one processor configured toexecute the instructions. The instructions may comprise: maintaining aset of items for online link processing, the items being associated witha website; selecting a first item from the set of items; receiving anelectronic request from a first affiliate system related to the firstitem; registering the first affiliate system as associated with thefirst item; generating an online link associated with the first item andthe registered affiliate system; detecting an actuation of the onlinelink, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and, basedon the detected actuation and digital activity, permitting or denyingthe first affiliate system from operating the online link; whereinpermitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating theonline link further comprises sending a communication to a second systemoperated by a fraud operations team, the communication being based onthe digital activity; and receiving, from the second system, anindication as to whether the digital activity represents fraudulentbehavior or legitimate behavior.

Other systems and methods are also discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flowchart of an exemplary computerized system forregistering an affiliate system as associated with online merchandiseand regulating online merchandise activity, consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1B depicts a flowchart of an exemplary computerized system fordetecting legitimate or fraudulent online activity and affiliatesystems, consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram illustrating ordering of onlinemerchandise by a user, wherein the online merchandise is associated withtwo affiliate systems, consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodimentof a network comprising computerized systems for communications enablingshipping, transportation, and logistics operations, consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4A depicts a sample Search Result Page (SRP) that includes one ormore search results satisfying a search request along with interactiveuser interface elements, consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4B depicts a sample Single Display Page (SDP) that includes aproduct and information about the product along with interactive userinterface elements, consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4C depicts a sample Cart page that includes items in a virtualshopping cart along with interactive user interface elements, consistentwith the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4D depicts a sample Order page that includes items from the virtualshopping cart along with information regarding purchase and shipping,along with interactive user interface elements, consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar parts.While several illustrative embodiments are described herein,modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible. Forexample, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to thecomponents and steps illustrated in the drawings, and the illustrativemethods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering,removing, or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, thefollowing detailed description is not limited to the disclosedembodiments and examples. Instead, the proper scope of the invention isdefined by the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems andmethods for regulating online merchandise link activity associated withaffiliate systems.

FIG. 1A, depicts a flowchart illustrating an exemplary computerizedmethod 100 for registering an affiliate system as associated with onlinemerchandise and regulating online merchandise activity, consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. Method 100 begins at step 101. In step 101, acomputer system (e.g., External Front End System 303 or Internal FrontEnd System 305) may be configured to receive and maintain merchandiseitems for online link processing. For example, the computer system mayreceive merchandise items and store them in a database for online linkprocessing. Alternatively, the computer may maintain the merchandiseitems by storing them in an application or cloud storage program. Inother embodiments, the computer system may receive the items andmaintain them in some other capacity for online link processing.

The method may then proceed to step 103. In step 103, the computersystem may receive a selection of a particular merchandise item. Forexample, a user may utilize a mouse on a user device, such as 302A, toselect an item on a webpage, such as that displayed in FIG. 4B.Alternatively, the user may select the item through an application onthe user device.

The method may then proceed to step 105. In step 105, the computersystem may receive a request from an affiliate system related to themerchandise item. For example, the affiliate system may request tomarket the merchandise item by coordinating with a business thatproduces the merchandise item. In certain embodiments, the affiliatesystem may specialize in marketing the particular merchandise item.

The method may then proceed to step 107. In step 107, the computersystem may register the affiliate system as associated with themerchandise item. For example, the computer system may make an entry ina database (e.g., connected to seller portal 307) associating theaffiliate system with the merchandise item. Alternatively, the computersystem may link the affiliate system with the merchandise item by someother mechanism.

The method may then proceed to step 109. In step 109, the computersystem may generate an online link as associated with the merchandisesystem and registered affiliate system. For example, the computer systemmay generate an online link with randomized numbers and/or letters.Alternatively, the computer system may generate an online link withnumbers and/or letter organized in a specific fashion. In certainembodiments, the online link may have sort of sequential identifier. Incertain specific embodiments, the online link may be an HTTP link.

The method may then proceed to step 111. In step 111, the computersystem may detect actuation of the online link associated with digitalactivity. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, a computer system maydetect a user visiting a merchandise link and purchasing merchandise, asshown in step 151. Alternatively, the user may visit the merchandiselink simply to peruse the available merchandise without making apurchase.

The method may then proceed to step 113. In step 113, the computersystem may permit or deny the affiliate system from operating the onlinelink based on the detected actuation and digital activity. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the computer system may investigate onlineactivity associated with the merchandise purchase, as illustrated instep 153, As shown in step 155 the computer system may then find theonline activity legitimate, in which case a business which generated thepurchased merchandise and an affiliate system associated with thepurchased merchandise may settle upon a commission over the purchasedmerchandise.

Alternatively, as shown in step 157, the computer system may find theonline activity fraudulent, in which case the computer system r nayblock the online order from reaching settlement between the business andaffiliate system. In some embodiments, the online activity may includeclick, affiliate, or order activity. In some further embodiments, cookiestuffing, auto browsing, or order abuse may be associated with theclick, affiliate, or order activity. In a further embodiment, the clickactivity may be fraudulent if it occurs prior to a pre-determinedthreshold following generation of the online link. In an alternativefurther embodiment, the affiliate activity may be fraudulent if theclick activity fails to meet a first pre-determined threshold or exceedsa second, separate pre-determined threshold. In a separate furtherembodiment, the order activity may be fraudulent if a number of ordersof the selected merchandise item exceeds a first pre-determinedthreshold within a specific time period or if a total monetary amountassociated with the order activity exceeds a second pre-determinedthreshold.

As shown in step 159, if the online activity is found to be fraudulent,the computer system may request proof that the affiliate system islegitimate. For example, the computer system may send a communication tothe affiliate system requesting proof that the affiliate systemlegitimate.

According to step 161, the computer system may then receive and evaluatethe requested proof from the affiliate system. Evaluating the requestedproof may comprise, for example, sending the requested proof to acomputer system operated by a fraud operations system for evaluation, hisome embodiments, the proof may be evaluated by an automated system (notpictured). One of ordinary skill will understand that other embodimentsare possible as well.

Evaluating the requested proof may comprise evaluating the proof againstone or more of the below rules. In some embodiments, the computer systemevaluating the proof may comprise performing one of the below-describedevaluations, while in other embodiments, the computer system evaluatingthe proof may comprise performing a plurality of the below-describedevaluations.

In one aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise determining whether anycollusion exists between an affiliate and a seller. In some embodiments,collusion may exist when more than twenty orders come from the same IPaddress over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a singleaffiliate. Alternatively, collusion may exist when more than twentyorders come from the same computer over the fourteen-day period and areconnected to the single affiliate. Alternatively, collusion may existwhen an order amount above $5,000 comes from the same IP address over afourteen-day period and is connected to a single affiliate.Alternatively, collusion may exist when the order amount above $5,000comes from the same computer over the fourteen-day period and isconnected to the single affiliate. Alternatively, collusion may existwhen more than fifteen orders are associated with the same mailingaddress over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a singleaffiliate. Alternatively, collusion may exist when an order amount above$2,500 is associated with the same mailing address over a fourteen-dayperiod and is connected to a single affiliate. Alternatively, collusionmay exist when a member count associated with the same IP addressexceeds five members over a fourteen-day period and is connected to asingle affiliate. Alternatively, collusion may exist when the membercount associated with the same computer exceeds five members over thefourteen-day period and is connected to the single affiliate.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing the clickactivity associated with a single affiliate to determine whether it islegitimate or fraudulent. In some embodiments, the click activity may befraudulent if the single affiliate is linked to over 100 orders within asingle month and the affiliate's click activity on a single day amountsto five times that of a daily average over a previous three-day period.Alternatively, the click activity may be fraudulent if the singleaffiliate is linked to over 100 orders within the single month and theaffiliate's click activity associated with the same IP address exceeds1,000 clicks in the single day. Alternatively, the click activity may befraudulent if the single affiliate is linked to over 100 orders withinthe single month and the affiliate count associated with the same IPaddress exceeds ten in the single day. Alternatively, the click activitymay be fraudulent if the single affiliate is linked to over 100 orderswithin the single month and the affiliate's click activity associatedwith the same computer exceeds 150 clicks in the single day.Alternatively, the click activity may be fraudulent if the singleaffiliate is linked to over 100 orders within the single month and theaffiliate count associated with the same computer exceeds ten in thesingle day.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing the clickactivity at an abnormal hour of the day to determine whether it islegitimate or fraudulent. In some embodiments, the click activity may befraudulent if the single affiliate is linked to over 100 orders withinthe single month and the affiliate's click activity within a single houramounts to twenty times that of an hourly average over a previoustwenty-four hour period.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing a bouncerate associated with a particular affiliate to evaluate legitimate orfraudulent activity. In some embodiments, activity may be fraudulent ifthe affiliate is linked both to over 100 orders within a single monthand a bounce rate above 90%.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing aparticular affiliate's registration criteria to evaluate legitimate orfraudulent activity. In some embodiments, activity may be fraudulent ifthe affiliate is linked both to an order amount above $850 within asingle month and more than 30% of domains that are unregistered.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing thenumber of orders completed within a one-hour period. In someembodiments, activity may be fraudulent if the affiliate is linked toover 100 orders within a single month, an average of over ten orderswithin a single day, and over 80% of a total number of orders completedwithin a single hour. Alternatively, the activity may be fraudulent ifthe affiliate is linked to over 100 orders within the single month, anaverage of over ten orders within the single day, and less than 30% ofthe total number of orders completed within the single hour.

In another aspect, evaluating the proof may comprise assessing an actualconversion rate associated with a single affiliate relative to anaverage conversion rate. In some embodiments, an actual conversion ratethat is too low may indicate poor affiliate performance. For example,the single affiliate may be associated with poor performance if it islinked both to an average of over ten orders within a single day and anactual conversation rate above 0% and below 0.5%. Alternatively, in someembodiments, an actual conversion rate that is too high may indicateunrealistically exceptional performance. For example, the singleaffiliate may be associated with unrealistically exceptional performanceif it is linked both to an average of over ten orders within a singleday and an actual conversation rate above 10%.

One of ordinary skill will understand that other embodiments or valuesare possible as well.

If the requested proof is deemed satisfactory, the computer system maythen add the affiliate system to a database of legitimate affiliatesystems, as shown in step 163. Alternatively, if the requested proof isdeemed unsatisfactory, the computer system may permanently close theaffiliate system's account, as illustrated in step 165. In furtherembodiments, if the affiliate system responds to the communicationwithin a pre-determined time period, the affiliate system may be addedto a white list of legitimate affiliate systems. In alternativeembodiments, if the affiliate fails to respond to the communicationwithin the pre-determined time period, the computer system maypermanently block the affiliate system. In some embodiments, thecomputer system may send a communication to a second computer systemoperated by a fraud operations team requesting evaluation of the onlineactivity. The second computer system may then respond to the request byindicating to the original computer system whether the online activityrepresents fraudulent or legitimate behavior. In some furtherembodiments, the communication may be based on the online activity.

In some embodiments, the computer system r nay reduce the likelihoodthat the digital activity is fraudulent by providing a database ofaffiliate systems for selection, wherein each affiliate system iscategorized as fraudulent, suspicious, or normal, and selecting onlynormal affiliate systems to market the merchandise items.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplarycomputerized method 200 wherein a user orders online merchandiseassociated with two affiliate systems, consistent with the disclosedembodiments. Method 200 begins at step 201. As shown in step 201, a usermay make a valid order 211 of online merchandise via two, separate andvalid click mechanisms 01 and 02. As shown in steps 207 and 209, theclick mechanisms may be associated with two, separate affiliate systemsX and Y (203, 205). In a preferred embodiment, the order 211 may beattributed to the valid click mechanism closest in time to the order, asshown in step 209. Thus, a business that generated the purchasedmerchandise may settle commission with affiliate system Y (205)associated with the valid click mechanism shown in step 209.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram 300 of an exemplary embodiment ofa computerized system in which embodiments of the present disclosure maybe implemented. In FIG. 3, system 300 is configured for enablingshipping, transportation, and logistics operations relating to ane-commerce marketplace. However, the present disclosure is notrestricted to e-commerce systems and may also be implemented in ageneral search engine.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, system 300 may include a variety ofconstituent systems, which may be connected to one another via one ormore networks. These constituent systems may also be connected to oneanother via direct connections, e.g., using direct data links. In thee-commerce marketplace shown in FIG. 3, the depicted systems include ashipment authority technology (SAT) system 301, an external front-endsystem 303, an internal front-end system 305, shipment and ordertracking (SOT) system 305, seller portal 307, fulfillment optimization(FO) system 309, and fulfillment center (FC) 311.

In some embodiments, SAT system 301 may be implemented as a computersystem that monitors the status of orders and deliveries in ane-commerce marketplace. For example, SAT system 301 may determinewhether an order is past its promised delivery date (PDD) and may takeappropriate action, including initiating a new order, reshipping theitems in the non-delivered order, canceling the non-delivered order,initiating contact with the ordering customer, or the like. SAT system301 may also act as a gateway between different devices in system 300,enabling communication (e.g., using store-and-forward or othertechniques) between devices such as external front-end system 303 and FOsystem 309.

In some embodiments, internal front-end system 305 may be implemented asa computer system that enables internal users (e.g., employees of anorganization that owns, operates, or leases system 300) to interact withone or more systems in system 300. For example, in embodiments wherenetwork 301 enables the presentation of systems to enable users to placean order for an item, internal front-end system 305 may be implementedas a web server that enables internal users to view diagnostic andstatistical information about orders, modify item information, or reviewstatistics relating to orders. For example, internal front-end system305 may be implemented as a computer or computers running software suchas the Apache HTTP Server, Microsoft Internet Information Services (HS),NGINX, or the like. In other embodiments, internal front-end system 305may run custom web server software designed to receive and processrequests from systems or devices depicted in system 300 (as well asother devices not depicted), acquire information from databases andother data stores based on those requests, and provide responses to thereceived requests based on acquired information.

In some embodiments, internal front-end system 305 may include one ormore of a web caching system, a database, a search system, a paymentsystem, an analytics system, an order monitoring system, or the like. Inone aspect, internal front-end system 305 may comprise one or more ofthese systems, while in another aspect, internal front-end system 305may comprise interfaces (e.g., server-to-server, database-to-database,or other network connections) connected to one or more of these systems.

In some embodiments, seller portal 307 may be implemented as a computersystem that enables sellers or other external entities to electronicallycommunicate with one or more systems in system 300. For example, aseller may utilize a computer system (not pictured) to upload or provideproduct information, order information, contact information, or thelike, for products that the seller wishes to sell through system 300using seller portal 307.

In some embodiments, shipment and order tracking system 305 may beimplemented as a computer system that receives, stores, and forwardsinformation regarding the location of packages containing productsordered by customers (e.g., by a user using devices 302A-302B). In someembodiments, shipment and order tracking system 305 may request or storeinformation from web servers (not illustrated) operated by shippingcompanies that deliver packages containing products ordered bycustomers.

Fulfillment center 311 represents one or more physical location thatstores items for shipping to customers when ordered.

In some embodiments, fulfillment optimization (FO) system 309 may beimplemented as a computer system that stores information for customerorders from other systems (e.g., external front-end system 303 and/orshipment and order tracking system 309). FO system 309 may also storeinformation describing where particular items are held or stored. Forexample, certain items may be stored only in one fulfillment center 311,while certain other items may be stored in multiple fulfillment centers.In still other embodiments, certain fulfilment centers may be designedto store only a particular set of items (e.g., fresh produce or frozenproducts). FO system 309 stores this information as well as associatedinformation (e.g., quantity, size, date of receipt, expiration date,etc.).

FO system 309 may also calculate a corresponding PDD (promised deliverydate) for each product. In some embodiments, the POD may be based on oneor more factors. For example, FO system 309 may calculate a POD for aproduct based on a past demand for a product (e.g., how many times thatproduct was ordered du a period of time), an expected demand for aproduct (e.g., how many customers are forecast to order the productduring an upcoming period of time), a network-wide past demandindicating how many products were ordered during a period of time, anetwork-wide expected demand indicating how many products are expectedto be ordered during an upcoming period of time, one or more counts ofthe product stored in each fulfillment center 311, which fulfillmentcenter stores each product, expected or current orders for that product,or the like.

In some embodiments, FO system 309 may determine a PDD for each producton a periodic basis (e.g., hourly) and store it in a database forretrieval or sending to other systems (e.g., external front-end system303, SAT system 301, shipment and order tracking system 305). In otherembodiments, FO system 309 may receive electronic requests from one ormore systems (e.g., external front-end system 303, SAT system 301,shipment and order tracking system 305) and calculate the POD on demand.

In some embodiments, external front-end system 303 may be implemented asa computer system that enables external users to interface with ane-commerce marketplace. For example, external front-end system 303 maybe implemented as a computer or computers running software such as theApache HTTP Server, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS),NGINX, or the like.

In some embodiments, external front-end system 303 may be implemented asa web server that presents a graphical user interface (GUI) to enableusers to place orders for items offered for sale in the e-commercemarketplace. In such an embodiment, the external front-end system 303may receive search requests, presents item pages, and solicit paymentinformation.

In other embodiments, external front-end system 303 may be implementedas a web server that presents a graphical user interface (GUI) to enableusers to conduct electronic searches. In such embodiments, extern alfront-end system 303 may run custom web server software designed toreceive and process requests from external devices (e.g., mobile device302A or computer 302B), acquire information from databases and otherdata stores based on those requests, and provide responses (e.g., aranked listing of search results) based on the acquired information.

In some embodiments, external front-end system 303 may include one ormore of a web caching system, a database, a search system, or a paymentsystem. In one aspect, external front-end system 303 may comprise one ormore of these systems, while in another aspect, such systems may behosted elsewhere within system 300 and external front-end system 303 mayinclude interfaces (e.g., server-to-server, database-to-database, orother network connections) to such systems.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 40, and 4D illustrate some operations of externalfront-end system 303. External front-end system 303 may receiveinformation from systems or devices in system 300 for presentationand/or display on a graphical user interface (GUI). For example,external front-end system 303 may host or provide one or more web pages,including a Search Result Page (SRP) (e.g., FIG. 4A), a single detailpage (SDP) (e.g., FIG. 4B), a cart page (e.g., FIG. 4C), and/or an orderpage (e.g., FIG. 4D).

A user device (e.g., using mobile device 302A or computer 302B) maynavigate to external front-end system 303 and request a search byentering information into a search box. External front-end system 303may request information from one or more systems in system 300. Forexample, external front-end system 303 may request information from FOSystem 309 that satisfies the search request.

External front-end system 303 may prepare an SRP (e.g., FIG. 4A) basedon the information received in response to its query. The SRP mayinclude information that satisfies the search request. For example, thismay include pictures of products that satisfy the search request. TheSRP may also include respective prices for each product, or informationrelating to enhanced delivery options for each product, POD, weight,size, offers, discounts, or the like, as offered by the top-rated sellerof the product (described below). External front-end system 303 may sendthe SRP to the requesting user device (e.g., via a network) for displayon the user's GUI.

A user device may then select a product from the SRP, e.g., by clickingor tapping a user interface (e.g., using a mouse, pen, touchscreen, orother pointing device) or using another input device (e.g., a button orkeyboard) to select a product represented on the SRP. In response tosuch an input, the user device may formulate a request for furtherinformation on the selected product and send it to external front-endsystem 303.

In response to such a selection, external front-end system 303 mayrequest and receive further information regarding the selected product(e.g., from FO System 309). For example, this additional information mayinclude information regarding the product's shelf life, country oforigin, weight, size, handling instructions, or other information aboutthe product. The information may also include recommendations forsimilar products (based on, for example, big data and/or machinelearning analysis of past transactions by customers who bought thisproduct and at least one other product), answers to frequently askedquestions regarding the product, product reviews by other customers,manufacturer information, pictures, or the like.

In order to convey this information to the user, external front-endsystem 303 may prepare an SDP (Single Detail Page) (e.g., FIG. 4B) basedon the received product information. The SDP may include anidentification of the top-rated seller of the product (in this case,“Farm Imports Inc.”), as well as the price (in this case 20,000 KRW),and promised delivery date (PDD) (in this case “Tomorrow (Wed) 11/28”)offered by the top-rated seller. The POD may represent an estimate ofwhen a package containing the product will arrive at the user's desiredlocation or a date by which the product is promised to be delivered atthe user's desired location if ordered within a certain period, e.g., by1:59:59 PM.

The SDP may also include other interactive elements such as a “Buy Now”button, a “Add to Cart” button, a quantity field, or the like, for usein executing an order. The SDP may further include a link 411 (“SeeOther Sellers”) to a listing of other sellers of the same or similarproducts. Link 411 may be implemented using any of a number of graphicaluser interface (GUI) elements. For example, link 411 may be implementedas a button (including, e.g., a radio button or check box), an icon, orhyperlinked text, etc. As used herein, the term “hyperlink” should beunderstood to include any appropriate type of user-selectable GUIelement.

In one embodiment, the sellers may be initially ordered based solely onthe seller trust rating (STR). In another embodiment, the sellers may beinitially ordered based on the total cost of the item (i.e., price plusshipping cost) offered by each seller, such that the sellers) thatoffers to sell the product at the lowest total cost may be listed first.Where several sellers offer the product at the same total cost, theseveral sellers may be ordered based on the STR. In another embodiment,the sellers may be initially ordered based on the promised delivery date(POD) indicated by each seller, such that the seller(s) that offers todeliver the product soonest may be listed first. Where several sellersoffer the same POD, the several sellers may be ordered based on the STR.

In yet another embodiment, the sellers may be initially ordered basedon, e.g., the total cost of the item price plus shipping cost) offeredby each seller, such that the seller(s) that offers to sell the productat the lowest total cost may be listed at the top. Where several sellersoffer the product at the same total cost, the several sellers may beordered based on the PDD. And where several sellers offer the product atthe same total cost and PDD, the several sellers may be ordered based onthe STR.

In each case, the seller with the highest STR (in this case, “FarmImport Inc.”) may be shown on the Single Detail Page (SDP) (FIG. 4B), sothat customers may quickly conduct a transaction with the highest-ratedseller.

External front-end system 303 may generate a Cart page (e.g., FIG. 4D).In some embodiments, the Cart page lists the products that the user hasadded to a virtual “shopping cart.” A user device may request the Cartpage by clicking on or otherwise interacting with an icon on the SRP,SDP, or other pages. In some embodiments, the Cart page may list allproducts that the user has added to the shopping cart, as well asinformation about the products in the cart such as a quantity of eachproduct, a price for each product per item, a price for each productbased on an associated quantity, information regarding POD, a deliverymethod, a shipping cost, user interface elements for modifying theproducts in the shopping cart (e.g., deletion or modification of aquantity), options for ordering other product or setting up periodicdelivery of products, options for setting up interest payments, userinterface elements for proceeding to purchase, or the like. A user at auser device may click on or otherwise interact with a user interfaceelement (e.g., a button that reads “Buy Now”) to initiate the purchaseof the product in the shopping cart. Upon doing so, the user device maytransmit this request to initiate the purchase to external front-endsystem 303.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that thepresent disclosure can be practiced, without modification, in otherenvironments. The foregoing description has been presented for purposesof illustration. It is not exhaustive and is not limited to the preciseforms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally,although aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described as beingstored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that theseaspects can also be stored on other types of computer readable media,such as secondary storage devices, for example, hard disks or CD ROM, orother forms of RAM or ROM, USB media, DVD, Blu-ray, or other opticaldrive media.

Computer programs based on the written description and disclosed methodsare within the skill of an experienced developer. Various programs orprogram modules can be created using any of the techniques known to oneskilled in the art or can be designed in connection with existingsoftware. For example, program sections or program modules can bedesigned in or by means of .Net Framework, .Net Compact Framework (andrelated languages, such as Visual Basic, C, etc.), Java, C++,Objective-C, HTML, HTML/AJAX combinations, XML, or HTML with includedJava applets.

Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, thescope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated bythose skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Thelimitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on thelanguage employed in the claims and not limited to examples described inthe present specification or during the prosecution of the application.The examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Furthermore, thesteps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, includingby reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps. It is intended,therefore, that the specification and examples be considered asillustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims and their full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for regulating online merchandise link activity, the system comprising: a memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: maintain a set of items for online link processing; register a first affiliate system as associated with a first item; generate an online link associated with the first item and the registered first affiliate system; detect an actuation of the online link, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and based on the detected actuation and digital activity, permit or deny the first affiliate system from operating the online link; wherein permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link further comprises: when fraudulent behavior is detected, sending a communication to the first affiliate system requesting proof that the first affiliate system is legitimate, and, based on the proof, determining whether any collusion exists between the first affiliate system and a business which generated the first item.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein collusion exists when more than twenty orders come from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein collusion exists when an order amount above $5,000 comes from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and is connected to a single affiliate.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein collusion exists when more than fifteen orders are associated with the same mailing address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system receives the requested proof from the first affiliate system and evaluates the requested proof.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system evaluates the requested proof from the first affiliate system by sending the proof to a computer system operated by a fraud operations system for evaluation.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the system evaluates the requested proof from the first affiliate system by employing an automated system.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein evaluating the proof comprises assessing click activity associated with the first affiliate system.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein evaluating the proof comprises assessing the first affiliate system's registration criteria.
 10. A computer-implemented method for regulating online merchandise link activity, the method comprising: maintaining a set of items for online link processing; registering a first affiliate system as associated with a first item; generating an online link associated with the first item and the registered first affiliate system; detecting an actuation of the online link, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and based on the detected actuation and digital activity, permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link; wherein permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link further comprises: when fraudulent behavior is detected, sending a communication to the first affiliate system requesting proof that the first affiliate system is legitimate, and, based on the proof, determining whether any collusion exists between the first affiliate system and a business which generated the first item.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein collusion exists when more than twenty orders come from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein collusion exists when an order amount above $5,000 comes from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and is connected to a single affiliate.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein collusion exists when more than fifteen orders are associated with the same mailing address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the requested proof from the first affiliate system and evaluating the requested proof.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein evaluating the requested proof from the first affiliate system comprises sending the proof to a computer system operated by a fraud operations system for evaluation.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein evaluating the requested proof from the first affiliate system comprises employing an automated system.
 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein evaluating the proof comprises assessing click activity associated with the first affiliate system.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein evaluating the proof comprises assessing the first affiliate system's registration criteria.
 19. A system for regulating online merchandise link activity, the system comprising: a memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions for: maintain a set of items for online link processing; register a first affiliate system as associated with a first item; generate an online link associated with the first item and the registered first affiliate system; detect an actuation of the online link, the actuation being associated with digital activity; and based on the detected actuation and digital activity, permit or deny the first affiliate system from operating the online link; wherein permitting or denying the first affiliate system from operating the online link further comprises: when the online link is permitted to be operated, allowing a business which generated the first item and the first affiliate system to settle upon a commission associated with a purchase of the first item; and, when fraudulent behavior is detected, sending a communication to the first affiliate system requesting proof that the first affiliate system is legitimate, and, based on the proof, determining whether any collusion exists between the first affiliate system and the business.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein collusion exists when: more than twenty orders come from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate; an order amount above $5,000 comes from the same IP address over a fourteen-day period and is connected to a single affiliate; or more than fifteen orders are associated with the same mailing address over a fourteen-day period and are connected to a single affiliate. 